Arsenal will reportedly aim to beat Barcelona and Real Madrid in the race to sign 22-year-old Cameroonian striker Karl Etta Eyong from La Liga club Levante UD.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Karl Etta Eyong is the subject of interest from Arsenal. The Gunners are keen on reinforcing their offensive unit by signing another striker next year. So, the 22-year-old Levante centre-forward has emerged as a target for the North London club.
Meanwhile, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also competing with Arsenal for the young striker’s signature. However, the Premier League heavyweights have hatched a plan to beat the two La Liga bigwigs to the African attacker’s signature, as they are ready to secure a permanent move before loaning him “back to Spain” until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Karl Etta Eyong and his recent rise in La Liga
Karl Etta Eyong has taken no time to establish himself as one of the best young attackers in La Liga. The 22-year-old rose in prominence during his short stint with Villarreal before Levante secured his services this past summer, and he has been a revelation for the Granotes in the first few months of the 2025/26 La Liga season.
The Cameroonian international has contributed to nine goals in only 12 La Liga games by finding the back of the net six times and providing three assists. The youngster’s exploits have also helped him break into his national side this month. Meanwhile, his progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
A man in demand
Arsenal’s interest in Karl Etta Eyong is understandable, even though they signed Viktor Gyokeres this past summer. However, Gabriel Jesus faces an uncertain future at the Emirates after falling to the bottom of the pecking order for strikers. So, with Gyokeres at the peak of his powers, Etta Eyong can be his deputy before taking over as the first-choice striker in a few years.
As for Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski is on the wrong side of 30 and in the twilight of his career. So, the Blaugrana must start planning for life after the veteran Polish striker, bringing the Levante star into the picture. Meanwhile, Real Madrid can do with a striker, as Kylian Mbappe is better-suited on the left flank. So, the former Villarreal striker is a viable target for Los Blancos.
However, Arsenal will aim to beat Barcelona and Real Madrid to the youngster’s signature by securing a permanent deal in the winter transfer window before loaning him back to Spain until the end of the 2025/26 season. Meanwhile, recent reports have claimed that the 22-year-old Cameroonian striker wants to stay in La Liga amid his links with Premier League clubs. So, it will be interesting to see if Arsenal can win the race to sign Etta Eyong.
